2

Everyone is sweaty and tired after practice, but they dutifully gather around as I bring out my laptop to go over a few things. "Monica called this morning to check on our progress for the album release. The show is sold out, and she's pulling strings to get some high-profile names to attend the launch party afterwards."

Despite the initial stress it caused, Eric and Dmitri's public outing ended up having a positive impact on the band. Our popularity was already on the rise, but the scandal catapulted us right into the spotlight. We signed Monica as our agent, and she has accomplished what feels like a year's worth of goals in just a few months.

Words fail to capture the sheer exhaustion of it all.

Dmitri decided to fully dedicate himself to the band and left his father's company behind, and I can finally breathe easier with the extra help. He has been crucial in helping me transition from being in complete control, encouraging me to let others take over some of the load. His work ethic is exceptional.

Unless Eric is close by, and then he's too busy sucking face to focus on anything else.

We exchange a nod as he takes over the conversation. "Preparations for the album are finished, and it's set for launch. We've combed through the music countless times and found no errors or retakes that need to be done. The agency has the files, and they are ready to be released with our go-ahead, and the QR codes on the tickets have been tested."

Eric had the idea of offering copies of the album to anyone who bought tickets to the concert, and we all jumped on board. Tickets now include a QR code that serves as a voucher to download, and we're hoping it gives us a boost in numbers for the initial release.

Theo's hand shoots up as he wiggles in his seat, and my grin twitches on my lips as Dmitri nods in his direction. "I'm trying so hard to listen to this very important information, Sticks, but can we circle back to the more pressing part of this conversation?"

"Which is…"

"The party, of course!" Theo starts bouncing again, moving like an over-excited puppy as his eyes get wider. "I need the details. Dress code, what swag we're giving away, and most importantly…" He pauses dramatically, hiking his brow at Dmitri for a few seconds before sighing. "Come on, man. How could you, a drummer , fail to catch that blatantly obvious cue for a drum roll?"

Dmitri just stares at him for a second, and Theo stares back, refusing to cave first. Finally giving in, Dmitri sighs and drums a lightning-fast beat on his thighs.

"Thank you for that wonderful lead-in!" Theo cries with a grin, as the rest of us dissolve into laughter at the exasperation on Dmitri's face. "Most importantly, who exactly are these high- profile people that have been invited? My outfit is going to vary enormously depending on who is coming."

"Is that so?" Tai asks, amused as he leans forward.

"Very much so," Theo says with a serious nod. "If it's Madonna, I need to channel Material Girl with some cone boobs and long gloves. If we're talking Posty, fake tattoos on my face are obviously the way to go."

"Obviously," Eric chimes in.

"I can promise you it's neither of those two," I say as Theo's bright blue eyes dart to me, crinkling with his giant grin.

"Since you're being tight-lipped and hush-hush, I just have one question. Dress or suit?" He runs his palms down his lithe body, and my eyes involuntarily chase the movement.

Visions of Theo in a skimpy dress flood my mind and cause my heart to slam inside my chest, picturing his porcelain skin on display. Swallowing hard, I desperately try to rein in my brain as I imagine him on my lap, the flimsy fabric of a skirt serving as the only barrier between us.

"Probably suit," I stammer, a surge of protectiveness washing over me at the idea of anyone else seeing that much of him.

"Leather bodysuit with a sports coat? I like your style," he says with a wink.

"No!" As the others raise their eyebrows, I realize I'm being far too loud. My face burns as I clear my throat, shifting my attention to the computer. "Just a normal suit will be fine, Theo."

"Party pooper," he mutters, but he relaxes into the cushions and lets Dmitri continue. I try my best to concentrate, but my eyes keep betraying me, wandering back to Theo.

From the moment we crossed paths, he's been unapologetically interested in me, and I can't figure out why. He's a walking dream come true, and compared to him, I'm completely ordinary. Unremarkable.

Small and slender, he is no more than five-foot-five. Those big blue eyes and pale, soft skin exude innocence, but then he opens his mouth and lets that razor-sharp tongue come out to play.

Whether he's embracing his fem side or channeling his inner emo rocker-boy, he's confident and comfortable in his own skin. Today is a perfect example of this. His short pastel pink shirt shows a sliver of his thin stomach, while his fingernails are painted black, and his jeans are ripped.

It forms a combination that is perfectly Theo, and I can't get enough.

A few months ago, at the end of our tour, the irresistible pull between us nearly overwhelmed my better judgment. Our lips barely brushed before my common sense snapped back into place. Forever etched in my mind is the memory of his stare, those gigantic eyes silently pleading for more as I distanced myself.

I have never wanted anything more.

"Shit, I'm sorry," I'd whispered, brushing my hand across his cheek as he leaned into my touch. "I shouldn't have done that. You know we can't."

"Do I?" he'd challenged.

"Yeah," I responded with a sigh, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his forehead. "Yeah, Theo, you do."

Back in the present, he tilts his head, and I'm mesmerized by a few strands of his thick brown hair falling over his eyes with the motion. Right as I'm starting to feel embarrassed about getting caught staring, he wiggles his eyebrows and licks his fingertip, rubbing it over his nipple suggestively.

A laugh climbs out of me before I can help it, and he looks extraordinarily pleased as everyone else stares at me like I've lost my mind. With one last small smile directed at Theo, I tear my eyes away from him and focus my attention back on my laptop before my traitorous brain gets any wild ideas.

"Dante!" I turn around and find Theo bouncing on his toes behind me.

"Hey," I say with a grin. "I thought you left already."

He releases a dramatic gasp. "Drive off into the sunset without talking to my favorite person in the entire world? You wound me."

"Right," I snort under my breath.

He narrows his eyes at me and plants his hand on his hip. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

His hands wave around animatedly, moving faster as he gets more excited. "Pretend you're not the most incredible man I've ever met."

My brows fly up. "Because I'm…"

"Curious to hear all the amazing thoughts I have about you?" he interrupts, looking positively gleeful. "Well, sit pretty and buckle the fuck up, because I am happy to oblige your neediness."

"Needy?" I ask, scrunching my eyes in confusion.

He ignores me. "First reason. You clearly have the superior head shape of everyone in the band. It takes so much BDE to strut around with a shaved head."

"I'm awesome because of my… head shape?"

"Yes, keep up. Second, you finger better than anyone else I've ever met."

I choke on something non-existent, banging my fist against my chest. "Finger?" It comes out as a wheeze.

"On your guitar."

"So, you mean I play better?" I prompt, still breathy.

"Exactly what I said—you're an incredible fingerer. Amazing fingering. The best fingering." His smile widens as he notices my cheeks turning red. "That should be your nickname. You know, Dmitri is called Sticks… we could call you something like…"

"You could just call me Dante."

"The Phantom Fingerer."

"Nope," I say with a shake of my head.

"Butterfingers?"

"That sounds… like a bad thing for a guitarist."

"Hmm..." Theo's adorable face scrunches up as he thinks, his nose wrinkling and his lips pursing. "Finger Licking Good?"

"Too many syllables."

"You're making this very difficult," he complains as I snicker.

"Here's an idea… you could call me Dante," I suggest again.

"What was that? Call you Daddy?"

" No, " I hiss as I move closer, my smile vanishing in an instant. His teasing attitude disappears as he watches me with assessing eyes.

Immediately placating, he raises his hands with his palms facing me, like I'm a wild dog that needs to be calmed. As I recognize my demeanor, with my clenched fists and aggressive stance, I realize he's not far off. "Hey, hey… I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I'll drop it." Even his voice is soothing.

A wave of guilt hits me as I force a deep breath. There it is, my old friend. Shame.

I take a few steps back, sinking onto the couch and resting my forehead in my hands. "Fuck, Theo, I'm sorry." He wouldn't have any idea why that word brings out such strong emotions. None of them would, because it's a part of my past that I keep buried deep.

"It's okay, Dante," he whispers, and the cushion sinks as he settles in next to me.

"No, it's really not. I shouldn't have snapped."

He hesitates before he slips his hand over my knee, squeezing when I don't pull away from the touch. No, I lean into it, soaking in the heat of his palm on my skin. Needing him, even just in this small act of comfort. "You understand you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"I do," I whisper, but I could never share that side of me with him. Theo's unwavering belief in me is something no one else in my life has ever shown, and I can't stand the thought of losing that.

Of him knowing how weak I actually am.

"Do you want to go grab a drink?" he asks, hand still resting on my leg.

And God, what a fucking question. Do I want to go out, spend the evening by his side? Talk and laugh, loosen up in a way that only happens when I'm with him?

Of course I want to, and that's why I shouldn't. Why I can't.

"Not tonight, Theo. Right now, I think I need to be alone."

"Okay," he says, hands landing on my cheeks as he twists my face towards him. His eyes meet mine, and we hold each other's gaze for a few breaths. An understanding smile spreads across his lips as he stands up and presses a tender kiss on my head. "Just be aware that without you there to supervise, I might end up doing something crazy."

I offer him a smile in return, thankful for the break in the tension. "You? Crazy?"

"Right?" he says with a laugh. "Hard to believe, isn't it? Too bad I've already got the gear in my trunk."

"What gear?" Curiosity gets the best of me as he flashes me a wicked grin.

There's not even a moment's hesitation as he lifts his fingers with each item on his ridiculous list. "A rock-climbing harness, a few decks of cards, a shovel, and some cans of whipped cream."

"And what exactly are you doing with those things?"

He grips my chin and tilts my face up to look at him. "Since you're not tagging along, you'll just have to use your imagination. Also, let me know what you come up with, because I'm struggling to figure out how to use them all at once."

Another laugh leaves me as he smiles, immensely pleased with himself. "Will do, Theo," I say, placing my hand over his that's still on my chin. He gives a slight squeeze to my face before he pulls away and walks out the door, giving me a fluttering wave as he slides out into the sunlight.